Will Handle Final Assembly And Testing For PurePower
Engines
Pratt & Whitney Canada
(P&WC) announced Monday it will establish a new aerospace
center at Montréal-Mirabel International Airport for the
final assembly and test of the new generation PW800 family of
engines.
A total of $575.3 million will be invested in the Mirabel
Aerospace Centre and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s other
Quebec facilities over the next five years. This investment is
expected to generate 565 jobs.
"The Government of Quebec’s decision to invest $141.9
million for infrastructure and equipment at Mirabel in support of
P&WC’s overall investment reinforces its firm commitment
to continued innovation and growth in the aerospace sector. I
commend the Government of Quebec for its vision and leadership in
propelling the high-value aerospace industry," said Alain M.
Bellemare, president, P&WC, and executive vice president, Pratt
& Whitney Group Strategy and Development.
At its new Mirabel Aerospace Centre, Pratt & Whitney Canada
will conduct the final assembly and test of the PurePower PW810C,
set to power the Cessna Citation Columbus large business jet. As
announced in April 2008, the new facility will also be the global
hub for Pratt & Whitney’s integrated flight test
operations.
"The Pratt & Whitney Canada Mirabel Aerospace Centre will
ensure we have ample capacity to meet the anticipated strong demand
for the PW800 engines for years to come while supporting our
growing flight test operations needs. The fact that the Bombardier
CSeries will also be assembled at Mirabel was a major factor in the
decision to also perform final assembly and test of the PW1524G for
the Bombardier CSeries at the new P&WC Mirabel Aerospace
Centre," said Bellemare.
Construction is expected to start in the coming months on a
300,000-square-foot facility and will open in the fall of 2009. The
P&WC Mirabel Aerospace Centre will include two bays for the
company’s Boeing B747SP test aircraft to support flight
testing for the complete range of Pratt & Whitney engines, from
turboprops to turbofans.
In addition, the Centre will incorporate state-of-the-art
equipment and the most advanced manufacturing technologies and
processes. This new facility will also apply best-in-class work
practices and flexibility principles, which will allow the company
to achieve a step change in the way it assembles and tests engines
to meet customer expectations.
The PurePower PW800 engine takes advantage of the latest
materials, aerodynamic and design technologies developed by the
company. It incorporates advanced fan, compressor, turbine and
low-emissions TALON combustion systems for exceptional fuel
consumption, future thrust-growth capability and improved
environmental friendliness.
First run of the engine is targeted for mid-2009.
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